Length control device for feeding strip stock and the like



Sept. 18, 1956 K. L. BANDY 2,763,064

LENGTH CONTROL DEVICE FOR FEEDING STRIP STOCK AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 21. 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 N m N n a; I :1: V n I A f m A I; V

INVENTOR K ENNETH L. BANDY ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1956 LENGTH CONTROL DEVICE FOR FEEDING STRIP STOCK AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 21, 1953 K. L. BANDY 2,763,064

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 L I I ll (f y l v 45F 34 35 y L 36 L m, m H I 59 41 a o l o 6 21 22 20 J I I i:

y l 7 5 a 7 I F 7 INVIgNYTOR E ENNETH BAN L F- 2 K BY J W ATTORNEY K. L. BANDY Sept. 18, 1956 LENGTH CONTROL DEVICE FOR FEEDING STRIP STOCK AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 21, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 v INVENTOR KENNETH L. BANDY BY M ATT RNEY Sept. 18, 1956 K. BANDY 2,763,064

LENGTH CONTROL DEVICE FOR FEEDING STRIP STOCK AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 21. 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .INVENTOR KENNETH L. BANDY BY W ' AH RNEY LENGTH CONTROL DEVICE FOR FEEDING STRIP STOCK AND THE LIKE Kenneth L. Bandy, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to The McKay Machine Company, Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 21, 1953, Serial No. 375,698

Claims. (Cl. 33-132) The present invention relates to apparatus for measuring and controlling the lengths of strip stock being fed intermittently to a press or shear, for example, and more particularly to improvements in such apparatus for the purpose of effecting greater speed and accuracy in operation and other desirable characteristics.

It is common practice, in the operation of presses and shears and the like on a high production basis, to associate with such shear or press a high speed stock feeding device which is arranged to feed stock into the production machine between stamping or shearing operations, for example. It is also common practice to associate with such stock feeding device a suitable control device which is operative to determine and control the quantity of stock fed for each production operation.

A satisfactory measuring and control device of the type herein contemplated must possess two predominant characteristics. in the first instance the device must be capable of unusually high accuracy, since if the length of stock fed into the production machine is insufiicient in any amount the product of the production operation is likely to be wholly worthless, while if the length is in excess of the amount required, even by a small fraction of an inch, a substantial scrap loss Will be experienced over a sustained production period. Secondly, the control device must be extremely rapid in operation. And this has particular reference to the resetting of the apparatus after the feeding of each length so that the same is conditioned to monitor the feeding of a new quantity of stock at the instant the production operation is completed. Thus, where modern high speed press shear apparatus is employed, the permissible interval within which the apparatus must be reset for a new feeding operation is of negligible duration.

In my prior application Ser. No. 237,650 filed July 19, 1951, I have disclose an improved arrangement for obtaining high control accuracy in apparatus of the present nature. This apparatus comprises a roug control element which is arranged to be operated after the feeding of a predetermined number of primary incremerits-feet, for example-of stock, and a secondary or precision control element which is rendered effective only after operation of the rough control, and which is thereafter effective to control further feeding within a small fraction of one primary increment. I have found this general arrangement to be highly effective for the purpose desired, and hence it is within the objects of the present invention to provide an improved strip length control device which, among other things, incorporates this principle.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a strip length control device incorporating the above described principle of operation which is of a more simplified mechanical nature and therefore more economically manufactured and maintained.

Another object of the invention resides in the pro vision of a novel strip length control device wherein resetting or conditioning of the apparatus for monitoring atent a subsequent feeding operation may be accomplished in a minimum of time.

More particularly, the present invention contemplates the elimination of any resetting of the control apparatus Within the ordinary meaning of the term. Rather, the invention contemplates the provision of a novel control mechanism which may, after monitoring a first feeding operation, be merely reversed, rather than literally reset, so that the apparatus may be conditioned for monitoring a new feeding operation substantially instantaneously upon the completion of a prior feeding operation. -As will hereafter be more fully described my present principle of operation contemplates a first length measuring or controlling operation wherein, in effect, the control apparatus measures from zero to a predetermined desired length, whereupon the first measuring operation is followed by a second wherein, in effect, the control apparatus measures from such predetermined length back to zero. Each complete cycle of the measuring apparatus, therefore, constitutes two stock feeding operations. And whereas it has heretofore been common practice to reset the control apparatus between feeding operations, my invention teaches the principle of resetting the apparatus during alternate operations, and while in actual control of such operation.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of strip length control apparatus having the above described characteristics wherein novel means are provided for effecting a slow-down of the stock feeding apparatus shortly prior to the end of the feeding operation so that the generally massive and inertia-laden feeding apparatus may be brought to a halt with substantial accuracy. This object, of course, contemplates the provision of such slow-down control regardless of whether the control apparatus is operating in a forward or reverse direction.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of apparatus as characterized and described above wherein means are provided for adjusting the length of stock to be fed in each operation, and for adjusting the point of slow-down relative to the point of terminating the feeding operation, each adjustment being independent of the other and being adapted for rapid and easy accomplishment.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of the following detailed specification and accompanying drawing wherein is disclosed a certain preferred embodi ment of my invention.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a front elevation, partly in section of the strip measuring and control apparatus of my invention;

Figure 2 is a section view taken along line ll-ll of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section view taken along line IlIIII of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section view taken generally along line IVIV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section view taken along line VV of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a section view taken along line Vl-VI of Figure l; and

Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a simplified electrical circuit of a general type which may be employed in connection with the apparatus of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing, and initially to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral 1% designates a box-like frame which may be of welded construction and which serves to house the various operative components of my apparatus. Journaled within the frame 10, in vertically disposed relation, is a control shaft 11 having a threaded portion 12 intermediate its ends. In accordance with the teachings of the invention the lower end portion of the shaft 11 is provided with a keyway 13 and arranged to slidably receive a sleeve member 14 having fianged upper and lower ends.

Carried on the shaft 11, but in rotatable relation thereto, are spaced bevel gears 15 and 16 which are positioned on either axial side of the sleeve 14, in the manner shown, and which are arranged to have common engagement with a mating bevel gear 17. The gear 17 is secured to the end of a shaft 18 which is suitably journaled in the main frame 10 by anti-friction bearings 19 and 20 and removable mounting member 21 therefor.

As shown in Figure 2, the flanged axial end portions of the sleeve 14 are arranged to carry annular friction linings 22 and 23 which are adapted upon appropriate axial sliding movement of the sleeve 14 to engage the adjacent face of one or the other of the spaced bevel gears 15 or 16. And it will be understood that upon the sleeve 14 being moved into forcible engagement with either of the last mentioned gears the control shaft 11 will be caused to rotate along with such gear by reason of the frictional engagement of the sleeve 14,

In accordance with usual practice, the shaft 18 is provided with a direct driving connection with a measuring roll, not shown, which forms a conventional part of a strip feeding device, also not shown. The desired arrangement is such that in response to operation of the strip feeding device the shaft 18 is rotated in direct pro portion to linear movements of the strip, and such rotation is translated through the bevel gears 15 or 16 to the control shaft 11, to rotate the last mentioned member in either of two directions, depending upon which of the gears 15 or 16 the sleeve or clutch 14 is engag mg.

Generally, though not necessarily, measuring rolls employed with conventional strip feeding apparatus are formed so as to have a circumferential measurement of substantially exactly twelve inches whereby each complete revolution of the measuring rolls represents one foot of linear travel of the strip being fed.

Mounted adjacent the threaded portion 12 of the control shaft 11 and adapted for vertical adjusting movement with respect thereto is a pair of sensitized switching devices 24 and 25, micro-switches for example, which are secured to a carrier member 26. The carrier 26, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is threaded internally and is received on a threaded adjusting shaft 27 which is journaled in the frame 10 in parallel relation to the control shaft 11. The'arrangement is such that upon rotation of the adjusting shaft 27 the carrier 26, and switches 24 and 25 secured thereto, is moved vertically upward or downward, in parallel relation to the shaft 11. And, as will hereafter become fully apparent, I may advantageously employ this arrangement for adjusting the length of strip to be fed by the strip feeding apparatus.

Also mounted adjacent the control shaft 11, near the upper end of the threaded portion 12 thereof, is a second pair of sensitized switches 28 and 29. And the latter switches 28 and 29 are secured to a bracket 30 which is preferably rigidly secured to the main frame 10 of the apparatus.

Threadedly received on the threaded portion 12 of the shaft 11 is a traveling trip nut 31 which is provided along one side with a tongue-like projection 32 which is received slidably in a vertically extending guide member 33 disposed in parallel relation to the shaft 11. In the preferred form of the invention the trip nut 31 is provided with beveled upper and lower edge portions 31a and 31b which are adapted to engage and actuate the switches 24 and 25, or 28 and 29, as the nut 31 moves upwardly and downwardly along the shaft 11.

Secured to the shaft 11, near the upper end thereof, is a cam member 34 (see Figures 2 and which is provided with a raised land portion 34a. Mounted adjacent the cam 34, in fixed relation to the main frame 10, is a sensitized switch 35 which has an operator adapted to 4 bear against the surface of the cam 34 so that the switch 35 is tripped once during each revolution of the shaft 11, each time the raised land portion 34a contacts the operator for the switch 35,

Rotatably mounted on the shaft 11, axially adjacent the cam 34, is a horizontally extending carrier 36 for a switch 37, which is of a sensitized type and which is; provided with a suitable operator bearing against the cam 34 and arranged to be actuated once during each revolution of the shaft 11. Rigidly secured to the car rier 36 is a gear 59 which meshes, through an idler gear 58, with a gear 57 secured to the upper end portion of the adjusting shaft 27. The described construction is: such that when the shaft 27 is rotated to move the carrier 26 and switches 24 and 25 vertically upward or downward the carrier 36 is rotated about the shaft 11,. relative to the fixed switch 35. And preferably the arrangement is such that for each complete revolution of the shaft 27 there will be exactly one revolution of the carrier 36.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention the orientation of the fixed switches 28, 29 and 35 is such that when the shaft 11 is rotated to move the traveling nut 31 into an upper limit position, substantially as shown in Figure 4, switches 28 and 29 are tripped by the nut 31, while switch 35 is tripped by the raised portion 34a of the cam 34. For purposes of convenience this may be referred to as the zero position of the apparatus.

To adjust the apparatus for a desired length of material to be fed, the shaft 27 is rotated to position the carrier 26 and switches 24 and 25 a predetermined distance below the nut 31. And it will be understood that as the shaft 27 is so rotated the carrier 36 rotates about the control shaft 11 and is finally positioned in some predetermined angular relation thereto, as shown in Figure 5.

In monitoring a strip feeding operation the apparatus will be initially set so that the clutch sleeve 14, carrying friction liners 22 and 23, is in engagement with one or the other of the bevel gears 15 and 16, depending upon the direction of rotation of shaft 18, so that as the shaft 18 rotates in response to feeding of strip the trip nut 31 will be caused to move downwardly, away from the zero position, by the rotation of shaft 11. It will be observed that the cam 34, rotating with shaft 11, will cause the switches 35 and 37 to be tripped a number of timesonce per revolution of the shaft 11. However, it is in accordance with the teachings of this and my heretofore mentioned prior invention that these switches remain inoperative to exert any control over the operation of the strip feeding apparatus until such time as the traveling nut 31 engages and trips switches 24 and 25, for example, whereupon the switch 37 is operative, upon its next being tripped by the cam 34, to effect a discontinuance of a strip feeding operation. The arrangement is such that a highly accurate final length control is afforded, while, by employing a primary or roug control with a highly reduced movement, a compact and eflicient apparatus is provided.

To then control the feeding of a next subsequent length of strip material the slidable clutch sleeve 14 is moved longitudinally into frictional engagement with the other one of the bevel gears 15 and 16, and as the shaft 18 again rotates in response to strip movement the trip nut 31 wili be caused to move upwardly towards the switches 28 and 29. After the last mentioned switches are tripped the switch 35, when it is next tripped by the cam 34 will cause further feeding of strip to be discontinued. And it will at once be apparent that the measured length will be the same as the apparatus operates from a zero to a certain adjusted position as when operating from such adjusted position back to the zero position. The important advantage gained by this construction resides in the fact that the apparatus need not be recycled or returned to zero position after each measuring operation. Rather, the apparatus is conditioned for a new measuring operation by merely sliding the sleeve 14 out of contact with one of the bevel gears 15 or 16, and into contact with the other, whereupon, during the next strip feeding operation, the control shaft 11 will be caused to rotate in a reverse direction so that recycling, as it may be called, is effected during rather than between measuring operations.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention I employ switch 25, of the movable or adjustable pair, and switch 29 of the fixed pair to condition the final control switches 35 and 37 for operation. Thus, it will be understood that the switches 25 and 29 should be positioned so that the trip nut 31 engages and operates these switches slightly before the final control switches 35 and 37 are operated by the cam 34. In order to effect this I have provided adjustable mountings for the switches 25 and 29, including bolts 38 and 39, respectively, whereby the last mentioned switches may be adjusted vertically with respect to the control shaft 11 independently of the rotation of the cam 34. And preferably, the switches 25 and 29 are properly adjusted during the construction of the apparatus so that further manipulation of these devices is not required during normal operations.

Switch 24, of the adjustable pair, and switch 28 of the movable pair, are, in the preferred form of the invention, employed to provide a slow-down control for the associated strip feeding apparatus. That is, at some point prior to the actual discontinuance of a feeding operation it is desirable to decelerate the inertia-laden strip feeding apparatus substantially so that when the final stop point is reached the apparatus may be brought to a halt with considerable accuracy. However, to insure economical operation it is desirable that the point of slow-down be as late in the feeding cycle as practical so that substantially immediately after the feeding equipment has been decelerated to a predetermined slow speed the same may be brought to a complete halt. The deceleration time of course varies with the nature of the equipment and the stock, and also with the speed of operation, and it is therefore desirable to provide a readily adjustable means for regulating the slow-down point on the job.

As shown in Figure 6, for example, I may provide vertically movable mounting brackets 40 and 41 for the slowdown switches 24 and 28, which brackets, by means of adjusting screws 42 and 43, may be accurately and positively adjusted in either vertical direction independently of the movement of the control shaft 11 so that the switches 24 and 28 may be caused to be tripped at some predetermined time before the final stopping point is reached.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the adjusting bolt 42, engaging bracket lll, has an elongated integrally formed head portion 44 which may be of square cross section, for example. And received and journaled in the main frame is a generally cylindrical manipulating member 45 which is provided internally with a socket portion which is generally complementary to the head 44 of the adjusting bolt 42, and adapted to slidably receive the same. The member 45 is preferably provided with an enlarged knurled head 46 which is exposed at the top of the control apparatus for ready access by an operator thereof.

Bolt 43, for adjusting the upper slow-down switch 28, is similarly provided with an upwardly extending head portion 47 of square cross section, and this is received internally of a manipulating member 48 which is in turn journaled in the main frame 19 of the apparatus.

Since the present invention contemplates the execution by the control apparatus of substantially identical control patterns, regardless of whether the trip nut 31 is traveling in an upward or a downward direction, it is desirable to correlate the slow-down adjustments so that equal adjustment is at all times applied to both the fixed and adjustable sets of control switches. To this end I provide a gear 49 which is secured to the principal slow-down control member '45 and which is adapted, through intermediate idler gears 50 and 51, to operate a gear 52 secured to and carried by the manipulating member 48. And the arrangement is such that any manipulation of the member 45, by means of the exposed knob 46, will be accompanied by an equal movement of the member 48 so that equal and simultaneous slow-down adjustment is effected at both switches 24 and 28 through manipulation of the single control knob 46.

To set the control apparatus to feed any desired length of strip material I have provided a control knob 53 which is mounted on a shaft 54 journaled in the frame 10. The shaft 54 carries at its inner end a bevel gear 55 which engages a similar gear 56 carried at the lower end of the adjusting shaft 27. And, as will be apparent, rotation of the control knob 53 will cause a related rotation of the shaft 27 to move the carrier 26 upwardly or downwardly in relation to the fixed control switches 28 and 29 in the manner desired.

By means of suitable gears 5759 rotation of the shaft 27 is transmitted to the carrier 36, for switch 37, so that one complete revolution of this carrier is effected for each revolution of the control knob 53.

In accordance with the preferred practice of the invention each revolution of the control knob 53 will effect an adjustment in the linear length of the stock to be fed of one foot, for example. Thus, in order that the setting of the control apparatus may be readily ascertained I have provided an indicator comprising a movable pointer 60 which is secured to and carried by the movable switch carrier 26, and which registers against a suitably calibrated scale 61 visible from the front of the apparatus.

To accurately effect control settings of less than one foot I have secured an indicating pointer 62 to the control knob 53, which pointer is arranged to register with a calibrated scale 63, also visible from the forward side of the control apparatus. The position of the pointer 62 is, of course, arranged to correspond with the angular orientation of the rotary carrier 36 and control switch 37. It is contemplated that this adjustment may be readily effected to within a sixteenth or thirty-second of an inch, for example, and this is substantially without regard to the number of feet or other primary increments which appear upon the scale 61.

In the illustrated apparatus no indicating device has been provided for the slow-down adjustment since it is largely a matter of trial and error to determine the most economical point at which to effect slow-down. However, it will be readily apparent that any suitable indicating means may be provided for this purpose.

As has been heretofore mentioned, when the trip nut 31 reaches the end of its travel, either in a zero or an adjusted position, it is merely necessary to shift the clutch sleeve 14, which operates to reverse the direction of rotation of the control shaft 11. To effect such longitudinal shifting of the sleeve 14 I have provided a yoke member 64 which is at one side of the shaft 11 pivotally secured to the frame 10, and at the other side connected to a vertically disposed operating cylinder 65, which may be of a hydraulic or pneumatic type. In the preferred construction the yoke 64 mounts a pair of thrust resisting anti-friction bearings 66 which engage the sleeve 14 to permit free rotation thereof relative to the yoke 64 while providing a positive operating connection for shifting the sleeve longitudinally into driving contact with either of the bevel gears 15 or 16. And as will subsequently be described, I further provide means operative as the control apparatus effects a discontinuance of one feeding operation to reverse the energization of the cylinder 65 so that the clutch sleeve 14 is automatically, at the end of each operation, shifted from one position to the other to ready the apparatus for a new feeding operation.

To initially set the control apparatus in an end position, i. e. in either a zero or an adjusted position, I have provided a control knob 67 which is carried by the measuring shaft 11, in exposed relation, and which may be manipulated by the operator to preset the apparatus in an end position. An indicating pointer 68, and reference indicia 69' aid the operator in making the proper initial setting of the apparatus.

As another visual aid to an operator of my apparatus, I may provide a pair of pilot lights 69 and 70 which are visible from the front of the control device and which will be energized whenever the final stop switches 35 or 37 are tripped to cause a discontinuance of feeding. One of the lights, for example light 69, may indicate that switch 35 is tripped at a zero end position, while the light 70 may indicate that switch 37 is tripped at an adjusted" end position. And an operator may thereby readily determine the condition of the: apparatus.

In Figure 7 I have illustrated a highly simplified electrical circuit arrangement showing, in general, the type of control system employed in connection with the apparatus of my invention. The reference numeral 71 designates a drive motor for a strip feed line, for example, which is adapted for slow and high speed operation, as represented herein by low and high speed windings 72 and 73, respectively. The motor 71 is normally energized through conductors 7476, control relay 77 and conductor 78, a power relay 79 being provided for energizing and deenergizing the entire system as desired.

To start the drive motor 71 switch 80 is closed momentarily to energize relay 79, applying power to conductors 74 and 78. Relay 77 is provided with normally closed contacts 77a which connect the main coils of the motor 71 to energize the same. In parallel with the main coils of the motor 71 are the high and low speed windings 73 and 72 thereof. And these windings are alternately energized by means of a relay 81 having normally closed and normally open contacts 81a and 81b, respectively. In the illustrated arrangement the relay 81 is in a normally deenergized condition whereby upon the power relay 79 being initially closed the high speed winding 73 is energized, along with the main coils of motor 71, whereby strip material is fed at a high rate of speed.

Assuming, for purposes of the present illustration, that the trip nut 31 is moving downwardly along the control shaft 11, it will be moving toward the control switches 24 and 25, which are represented schematically in Figure 7. And of course, control switches 35 and 37 will be operated once during each revolution of the shaft 11 as has been heretofore explained. It will be noted, however, that the switches 35 and 37 are connected in series with normally open switches 29 and 25 so that periodical closing of the first mentioned switches normally has no effect upon the operation of the motor 71.

After feeding of a predetermined length of material the trip nut 31 will engage and close the adjustable slowdown switch 24, which then closes a circuit including normally closed contacts 82c of a time delay relay 82 and the coil of relay 81. Relay 81 is thereby energized, opening contacts 81a and closing contacts 81!; to energize slow speed windings 72 of the motor 71 and causing the latter to continue at a reduced rate of speed.

Further downward travel of the nut 31 causes the switch 25 to close. And as switch 37 is next closed by the rotating cam 34 a circuit 'is completed through the coil of relay 77. At this time contacts 77a open to deenergize the drive motor 71, and contacts 77b are closed to initiate the operation of a press or shear, for example. As the press or shear, not shown, operates, a limit switch 83 is closed, energizing a ratchet relay 84, and through contacts 84a thereof energizing the time delay relay 83. It is contemplated in this illustration that the ratchet relay 84 need be only momentarily energized, whereupon it remains closed until subsequently energized, at which time it opens and remains open,

Through a second pair of contacts 84b of the relay 84 a solenoid valve is energized, reversing the application of air pressure to the cylinder 65 and shifting the clutch sleeve 14 longitudinally to reverse the transmission train to the control shaft 11.

After a predetermined interval of time, during which the press or shear or other apparatus clears the pass line of the material to be fed, the relay 82 operates to open contacts 82b and 820 and close contacts 82a and 82d. Relays 81 and 77 are thereby deenergized, .and the drive motor begins again to operate at high speed.

As the nut 31 subsequently nears its upper or zero position a sequence of control events similar to that just described takes place, the upper switches 28, 29 and 35 being operative, however, to first slow down and then stop the drive motor 71.

During the next stroke of the press or other apparatus switch 83 will again be closed momentarily, causing relay 84 to open and remain open, being followed a predetermined time later by the opening of the time delay relay 82.

It should be apparent, now, that I have accomplished the objects initially set forth. I have incorporated into my new control apparatus a heretofore proven principle of control operation whereby unusually high accuracy may be obtained in the feeding of strip material, and have, in addition, adapted the apparatus for high speed operation, with modern press and shear equipment, for example, by wholly eliminating the need for recycling or resetting the apparatus after each control operation.

One of the most important features of the invention resides in my novel arrangement for effecting a reversal of the movement of the control members so that after a first control operation the apparatus is substantially instantaneously readied for a subsequent operation wherein the control members merely travel in a return direction to their initial positions. In the particular embodiment herein described my novel and simplified construction includes for this purpose a pair of oppositely rotating members which may be selectively engaged by a simple clutch mechanism whereby the rotation of a principal control shaft may be reversed as desired.

Another advantageous feature of my apparatus involves the provision of slow-down control adjustments which are adapted for regulation independently of the principal strip length adjustment, and which are further adapted for simultaneous manipulation so that the slowdown point is at all times constant regardless of the direc* tion in which the control devise is operating.

It should be understood, however, that :the embodiment herein shown and specifically described is intended to be illustrative only, and reference should therefore be had to the appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a control device for measuring and controlling the feeding of strip stock and the like the combination of a measuring shaft rotatable in response to feeding movement of said stock, a bevel gear carried by said measuring shaft, a control shaft having a threaded portion, a pair of spaced bevel gears rotatable on said control shaft in opposite relation, and each engaging said first mentioned gear, a clutch member slidably keyed to said control shaft and movable into and out of driving contact with either of said pair of gears, a traveling control member carried on the threaded portion of said control shaft and movable axially therealong in response to rotation of said control shaft, first control switch means positioned adjacent said control shaft and adapted to be operated by said control member, second control switch means positioned adjacent said measuring shaft in spaced relation to said first switch means and adapted to be operated by said control member, and means responsive to movement of said control member in a first direction to operate one of said switches to shift said clutch member to reverse the movement of said control member.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including a cam carried by said control shaft, first and second precision control switches positioned adjacent said control shaft and operable by said cam upon rotation of said control shaft, said first precision switch being inoperative prior to actuation of said first switch means, and said second precision switch being inoperative prior to actuation of said second switch means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized by carrier means for said second switch means, and means to adjust said carrier means whereby to adjust the spacing between said first and second switch means.

4. In a control device for measuring and controlling the feeding of strip stock and the like the combination of a rotatable control shaft having a threaded portion, a traveling control member carried on said threaded portion, a first generally fixed switch member positioned adjacent said shaft and engageable by said control member, a second switch member movably positioned adjacent said shaft and engageable by said control member, a first precision switch positioned adjacent said shaft, means rota-table with said shaft for actuating said first precision switch during each revolution of said shaft, a second precision switch positioned adjacent said shaft and movable about the axis thereof, means rotatable with said shaft for actuating said second precision switch, said first and second precision switches each being inoperative prior to actuation of said first and second switch mem bers, and means operative upon actuation of a switch member and a precision switch to reverse the rotation of said control shaft.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 further characterized by a carrier for said movable switch member, said carrier comprising a threaded member, a threaded shaft rotatable independently of said control shaft to move said carrier and second switch member, a carrier for said second precision switch comprising a member rotatable on said control shaft, and means interconnecting said rotatable member and said threaded member whereby simultaneous and related adjustment of said second switch member and said second precision switch is effected by manipulation of said threaded member.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 further including first and second slow-down switches associated with said first and second switch members respectively and engageable by said traveling control member, and means to adjust said slow-down switches independently of said switch members.

7. In a control device for measuring and controlling the feeding of strip stock and the like the combination of a control member movable in response to the feeding of stock, spaced switching devices engageable by said control member to control stock feeding operations, and means responsive to said control member engaging one of said switching devices to reverse the direction of travel of said control member.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 further characterized by said last mentioned means comprising a rotatable threaded control shaft, driving means for said control shaft for rotating the same in direct response to feeding of stock, said driving means including a reversible transmission whereby rotation of said control shaft may be reversed.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 further characterized by said transmission comprising a pair of oppositely rotating members, a clutch member adapted for selective engagement with either of said rotating members, and means responsive to said control device engaging either of said switching devices to shift said clutch member.

10. In a control device for measuring and controlling the feeding of strip stock and the like the combination of control means movable in response to the feeding of stock, means operative in response to a predetermined movement of said control means to effect a discontinuance of further feeding, means operative to cause a reverse movement of said control means upon resumption of feeding, means to cause a resumption of feeding, and means operative in response to a predetermined movement of said control means in a reverse direction to effect a discontinuance of further feeding.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 further including fixed and adjustable switching means operable by said control means, said control means being movable in reciprocatory manner between said fixed and adjustable switching means whereby equal predetermined feeding movements are effected as said control means moves in forward and reverse directions.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 further including slow-down switches associated with each of said fixed and adjustable switching means, and common means for adjusting said slow-down switches with respect to said switching means.

13. In a control device for measuring and controlling the feeding of strip stock and the like the combination of control means movable in response to the feeding of stock, means operative in response to a predetermined movement of said control means in a first direction to effect a discontinuance of further feeding, transmission means including a clutch member for effecting movement of said control means, means to reverse said transmission means upon a discontinuance of feeding, means to cause a resumption of feeding, and means operative in response to a predetermined movement of said control means in a reverse direction to effect a discontinuance of further feeding, said predetermined movements in said first and reverse directions being equal.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 further characterized by said transmission means comprising a shaft, a pair of spaced oppositely rotating members journaled on said shaft, said clutch member being slidably keyed to said shaft, and means to move said clutch member alternately into driving contact with said spaced rotating members whereby opposite rotary movements are imparted to said shaft.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 further characterized by said means to move said clutch member comprising a fluid cylinder, and a control valve for said fluid cylinder operable in response to discontinuance of feeding to reverse the application of fluid pressure to said cylinder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,145,938 Mansfield et a1. Feb. 7, 1939 2,298,492 Longfield Oct. 13, 1942 2,650,822 Wyza Sept. 1, 1953 

